Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-09-22
AN EARLY MORNING BY PENNs
CREEK.


What do you say, old man; shall we
90 l being ready for any kind of
sport of course said, yes. This meant
to get up before daybreak and try our
luck with the trout, away up In the
woods near the rise of Penns creek.
Early morning fishing is sport that
know little about, but being In Rome
| determined to do as Rome does. and
my friend and landlord, j. II. Bibby,
who is heart and soul an angler, know
ing all about the business Is good e
nought To pilot me through my expert
ence. That there is an abundance of
fish Ne know. because one or two good
baskets had already been taken. So ut
half-past . O'Clock on n lovely June
morning | was wakened from n sound
sleep to get up. Up got, and found
my kind host already with pony har-
messed and tackle complete. l drove
through lovely country to the spot he
intended to try. Clouds obscure the
sky and there is not a breath of air. We
should prefer slight breeze, nor do We
altogether like the leaping of the fish.
Why or wherefore l cannot explain, but
this token seems TO bode no good to the
angler. My own experience is that
when trout are leaping clean out OF the
water they do not miss Mt the fly. Shall
we take our chance ?
We wade in and take our stations,
and our rods are soon at work, with a.
bout II yards OF line out. 1t is n bad
practice to iidget about at this style Of
fishing. Stick TO one pool IL you can,
and do not make your casts too long. l
remember once having grand sport
with sea trout, with a line not more
than twice the length Of the rod, and |
never moved from the rock on which
stood. The silence OH this early MORN
ing is very striking. The stiffness Oh
served by nv host on the bank opposite
indicates that he is earnestly bent upon
fishing. So l try and follow his eX-
ample; at last familiar splash is heard.
He has hooked a trout. The fish kicks
bit at the surface, but no time Ia
waste in playing it, because il you can.
not take the speckled beauties before
six O'Clock it is no good tying after.
So after brief pause you hear another
splash. The double rap that follows is
the coup de grace given upon the stones,
and so We 60 on for two hours and fly a.
way, and as no fish are touching our
flies, we at last give up the game.
Not for the first time, as We now SIT
down on a rock, TO count our fish, you
think how hungry you feel and have no
regret for having turned out so eaIly.
We have had two hours and II half hard
fishing. The result is, Bibby eight
trout and your humble servant five. all
nice fish, the largest Is inches long. The
smallest IL inches. There | liz my pll Q
and il it was not Tor the want of break
fast, would willingly stop in this de-
lightful dell. This is not such bad
sport after all, and if any one wants
health this is the part to get it, and let
them after a mornings fishing with my
jolly host for guide, say that they have
not enjoyed an early morning in the
woods by Penns creek, then l shall
know that they are men who make life
misery.
The D.rls are still at early mathis
when we pass through the fir woods on
our way hack 10 Spring Mills. -iha dr'vr
-r-1r4sfrrs MS 5rir more hungry, but being
satisfied that breakfast is waiting for
us that We shall do full justice TO for
the extra exercise, we drive back with
hearts light and feeling of peace with
ell men. All have to say. if any one
wishes for real enjoyment, spend
morning trout fishing in Penns Creek,
Centre County, Pa.
THE Box JONES.